Phase Three

"Southland" opens its second season with a renewed confidence (mostly in the camera-work) but there's still aftermath from that Summer cliffhanger. Clarke survived the shooting, only to be making a slow recovery and his LAPD future in doubt.

But it's mostly fallout from the Dewey meltdown last season. Chickie's still on the job while her partner's out in Palm Springs rehab, but she's also on the receiving end of the department's ire for turning him in. Last I checked, she wasn't the one who took a joyride and rolled a patrol car in the L.A. river. I get that you don't turn on your own, but Dewey gets a pass on the whole thing - especially with that level of misconduct. This might be a nitpick, but that's always bothered me. She's clearly a capable officer and can be a strong female presence. Just don't saddle her with inept partners (as is the case in this episode). It's wasted potential.

I don't mean to go off on a rant. Aside from that, this is a great opener that finds several of the show's characters dealing with repercussions. It offers hope for a more focused season.

8/10